The romantic Rhine Valley, which has been considered an embodiment of romance for centuries, has kept its alluring charm. The many charming and handsome half-timbered buildings, the beams and carvings, the alcoves, archways and flower decked windows are a sheer delight to the eye and encourage the visitor to linger awhile in this romantic atmosphere.
Because there is so much to see, the daily cycle is a leisurely 30-40 miles. So it remains enough time to explore the surroundings and taste the delicious local wine. The Middle Rhine is one of the most beautiful areas in Germany. A wealth of notable historic buildings, fabulous castles and the luxuriant display of color never cease to delight visitors.
You will start your route not far from the Ryanair airport "Baden Airpark" in a beautiful countryside hotel. From there your path continues via the Iffezheim barrage - a technical marvel - with its fishing staircase - through Rastatt with its castle (which is much similar the castle of Louis the XIV. in Versailles) to Woerth. The well-flattened cycle path will lead you through the well-fortified fortress town of Germersheim to Speyer. The more then 2000 year-old town enthralls with a mix of lively history and vital presence, the mighty cathedral with the imperial tombs (a World Heritage Site).
In Heidelberg you will see the world’s biggest wine barrel and you will have the opportunity to visit the Heidelberg Castle, where you will have a fantastic view of the Neckar. In Germany´s oldest university you can see the historic detention cells for students (Karzer) and of course there is time for strolling through the beautiful alleys of the old town.
The German Mountain Road (Deutsche Bergstraße) with its romantic medieval towns and castles lies sourrounded by a picturesque countryside, between the gentle hills of the Odenwald and the vast plains of the Rhine river. Via Ladenburg and Weinheim – both lovely villages with half-timbered houses – you will come to Worms, one of the oldest towns of Germany, the world-famous town of Nibelungen and the patriarchal Romanic imperator cathedral.
But soon you will make a foray through the beautifully ethnic floodplains changing with lovely, slopes full of vine - and will make a trip into the famous horticultural localities of the Rhine Terrace - Mettenheim, Oppenheim and Nackenheim - until you will reach Mainz. From your landscape hotel you will reach the center of the town by S-Bahn-transit easily within 20 minutes and have so the possibility to stroll relaxed through the streets of the Old Town.
A ship will bring you from Mainz to Rudesheim, which is well known for its famous Drosselgasse Lane. Then you will drive on to the Loreley Valley. The river bed becomes narrower and high hills arise on the left and the right. you will cycle slowly along the river bed. Twenty-nine castles, manor-houses and castle ruins narrate a productive history. The beautiful old localities of Bacharach, Oberwesel and Boppard will invite you to stay within their city walls, towers and half-timbered houses. From the "Konigsstuhl" (King Chair) in Rhens, on which the German electors crowned their King in the late Middle Ages, but also from the castles Stahleck and Schönburg you will have unique views of the Middle Rhine Valley.
Where Rhine and Mosel merge in Koblenz, the historical German Corner waits for you with the rebuild Kaiser-Wilhelm-Memorial. From Koblenz you will reach by train the next airports Cologne, Frankfurt or the Ryanair airport Frankfurt-Hahn within a short time.
Notes:
- 7 cycling days, 8 nights, 337 km - 211 miles
- Group tour dates: 2008, 5-13 September
- Self led tours can be started in the evening (arrival) of every Thu, Fr, Sat, Sun
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- 399 € in a double room in a middle class hotel with shower/WC and breakfast
- 105 € cycle hire
- 190 € luggage transfer
- 130 € single room
Price Includes:
- Detailed description and maps (1:20.000)
- Additional information and tips for lunch and dinner
- A map with flayers of every town you will be visiting (not advisable without luggage transfer)
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Germany
Bicycle Touring
Sightseeing
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